Police: Theft Is Preventable, Even on Island Filled With Bicycles
By Ryan Schlehuber

Securing bicycles with a chain lock is the most effective way to protect bicycles from theft on Mackinac Island, say city police, however, most Island residents and workers do not, thus, registering a bicycle for a license becomes that much more important.

There are two kinds of bicycle thieves on Mackinac Island, said Island Police Chief William Lenaghan, the ones who steal a bicycle to hitch a ride back home across town, and the ones who steal a bicycle for profit. Preventing bicycle theft in either case lies mostly with the owner, he said.

Last year, the Mackinac Island Police Department received more than 1,000 reports of stolen bicycles and all but 330 were subsequently found. That's because the majority of bicycles stolen are only used for a ride home at night and then abandoned somewhere in the downtown area or in Harrisonville.

Chief Lenaghan understands the frustration of having a bicycle stolen, as his was stolen two summers ago and was never has found.

"I had to dig out my old junker, a 1972 Schwinn, and I had Pete [McCreary from Island Bicycle] fix it up," he said. "I was kind of relieved that I didn't have to worry about anyone stealing this junk bicycle until Pete told me it that wasn't junk but, rather, an antique."

A person stealing a bicycle for joy riding, said Chief Lenaghan, can be charged with a crime of Unlawful Driving Away of A Bicycle, or UDAB. A judge can rule the crime as a misdemeanor or a civil infraction and the person can be sentenced to 93 days in jail or made to pay a fine up to $500.

"We've caught our fair share of people stealing bikes," said the chief, "with most being the intent of stealing a bike for joy riding. If you're trying to steal a bike off the Island, however, that becomes a stronger charge, it can be considered larceny."

Last year, police caught on to a clever smuggling ruse where thieves would ship stolen bicycles off-island in cardboard boxes discarded by Island bicycle shops after they received new bicycles via United Parcel Service.

Police began collaborating with UPS after an unusual number of bicycle boxes were being shipped off-island.

"I credit former Police Officer Bud Tiernan for catching onto that," said Chief Lenaghan.

Bicycle shops now cut up the boxes after they unpack them.

Bicycle thieves suspected of stealing a bicycle for profit or personal gain can be charged with a felony, which is a penalty of between one year to five years in jail. Under state law, any stolen property valued at more than $100 is considered a felony. more apt to steal bicycles from tourists or new workers who bring their own bicycles to the Island, which are usually more modern and expensive than what a typical resident would use.

Seasonal workers and Island residents have adapted well to using and getting by with bicycles of lesser value, Chief Lenaghan said.

The Schwinn Classic Cruiser model is arguably the most popular model of choice for most Island residents, dock porters, and other seasonal workers because of its durability and low cost. Most of the bicycles are hand-me-downs and thus can be cheaper than the baskets that are attached to them.

"The year-around Islanders are satisfied with what they have," said the chief. "It's newcomers and those people who come to visit and bring their bikes to the Island who are more vulnerable."

Purchasing and regularly using a bicycle lock is the easiest way to prevent bicycle theft, however, the hassle of taking the time to lock and unlock a bicycle each time is the reason many people don't use a lock. Therefore, the importance of purchasing a city bicycle license becomes that much more important, said the chief.

"A licensed bicycle is much easier to retrieve than an unlicensed bicycle is when it's stolen," he said, "because we then have a number that we can verify."

Licenses can be purchased for $3.50 at the Mackinac Island Police Department.

Other preventative measures used to thwart thieves include decorating a bicycle with decals or painting it a color that stands out, said Chief Lenaghan.